Southampton vs Arsenal 10 May 2017: EPL Preview and Predictions

They are now in tenth place, three points behind, but have played a game fewer than their two rivals.

Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny is a doubt due to a calf injury, though Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka is expected to be available despite picking up a similar injury against United on Sunday. Their form over the past few games haven't warranted any guarantees of that happening though, with two losses and two draws, albeit whilst facing the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Arsenal now sit sixth on 63 points, six points behind fourth placed Manchester City, and have four games remaining this season.

They have only scored 11 goals in their last 12 Premier League home matches, failing to score in three of the last four.

Striker Charlie Austin could return to the squad after recovering from a shoulder injury.

Southampton are looking to win three consecutive home league matches against Arsenal for the first time since 1985.

Despite looking more solid, the Gunners have not been at their best in an attacking sense and Arsene Wenger will be hoping that the victory over Manchester United will provide the Gunners with some belief ahead of an important, tricky fixture. Four wins in five games have given the gunners a slight chance again, however if they can get through this fixture and their next one away at Stoke City, they will be optimistic as they end the season with two games at the Emirates against Sunderland and Everton.

However, Nicholas believes that Arsenal, despite it being a must-win game in terms of their slim top four hopes, will be feeling as though the pressure is off.

Their tally of 63 points after 34 matches is the same as this stage of last season, when they finished second. They face a tough Southampton team who have recently kept two clean sheets and will be buoyed by the return of Charlie Austin.

However, 10th-placed Southampton could finish in the top half of the table in four straight top-flight campaigns for the first time.

Manolo Gabbiadini registered four goals in his first three appearances but has failed to score in the last five, managing just one shot on target.

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